At the center of alternative medicine today, ginseng is believed to improve stamina, relieve stress, stimulate the immune system, and enhance mental clarity. In history, it launched the rise to power of China's last great dynasty; inspired battles between France and England; and sparked a boom in Minnesota comparable to the California Gold Rush. David Taylor tracks the path of this plant, from the forests east of the Mississippi to the bustling streets of Hong Kong and the remote corners of China, becoming immersed in a world full of wheelers and dealers, diggers and stealers, all with a common goal—to hunt down the elusive "Root of Life."

"[David Taylor] takes us on a fascinating tour through ginseng's history, writing in a style that shows he obviously enjoyed his research and the people he met; in his descriptions of natural settings, he reads like a master storyteller."—Library Journal